Inclusiveness & Diversity Group

​The Comms Council Inclusiveness & Diversity Group was established in 2016 to enhance the relevance and competitiveness of the NZ industry by:

• championing the benefits of diversity on creative thinking and commercial outcomes

• helping member agencies develop greater diversity at all levels

Group Members:

Megan Clark - Managing Director, Copper Brand Experiences (Chair)

Megan is the Managing Director of specialist brand experience agency, Copper. She has been invited to judge at many local awards shows in 2014 was the New Zealand juror on both the 2014 Cannes Lions Promo & Activation jury and the 2014 Spikes Asia Promo, Activation & Direct juries. In 2015 Megan was invited on to the Cannes International Steering Committee to for the development of the Cannes Lions Promo & Activation category awards process. She is the former Chair of the Comms Council’s PR, Experiential and Social Media Committee and a former Comms Council Executive Board member. Megan’s passion for a better world of communications led her to Chair the newly formed Diversity & Inclusiveness Council and she looks forward to helping make a difference.

Sharee Gunn - Senior HR Business Partner, Dentsu Aegis Network

I am a passionate HR Professional and truly believe that HR is the most fascinating role within a business with an opportunity to make a massive difference in so many ways. People are the most dynamic asset that any business has and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone’s potential grow into a successful career.I believe diversity of thought in our industry contributes to more understanding of the opportunities and complexities of our clients. This understanding contributes to better strategic decisions and ultimately, a competitive advantage. I have a personal vision to bring more diversity into our business, build meaningful partnerships with our clients and ensure we are creating equal opportunities that inspire people to fulfil their career ambitions.

Bonnie Shum - Senior Account Manager, J. Walter Thompson

Starting her career in advertising through the Comms Council Internship Programme at FCB New Zealand, Bonnie worked across two of New Zealand’s most iconic brands, Air New Zealand and Mitre 10. After 4 years, Bonnie has made the move to J. Walter Thompson where she is the Senior Account Manager on the University of Auckland account service team. Taking her passion for the industry beyond her role in the agency, Bonnie is also deputy chair of the Comms Council Young Leadership Group who are behind the First Five Rungs initiative dedicated to leading the young talent in the industry.

Karen Sew Hoy - HR Director, DDB

Karen is the HR Director for DDB New Zealand, one of Auckland’s most successful agencies. Having worked in HR for many years, in both public and private sectors, Karen has a vast amount of experience when it comes to what drives, motivates and engages people to perform at their best. An accredited Myers Briggs practitioner and an ICC accredited coach, Karen has a great appreciation on how diversity and differences can positively impact a workplace.

Adelle Keely - Chief Executive, Acumen Republic

With 20 years in the communications industry, Adelle has been trusted to evolve, promote and protect the brands and reputations of some of New Zealand’s most influential organisations. Adelle leads a values-based, equal opportunity agency committed to diversity and inclusiveness. At Acumen, our team is from a range of ethnic backgrounds including Argentinian, Chinese, English, Indian, Irish, Russian, Samoan, Scottish, Solomon Islands, South African and Tongan. We have people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Our team is currently 35/65 male/female and we have three females and two males on our Board. We are open towards and respectful of people’s sexuality and spiritual beliefs.

Adelle’s diverse experience includes time working in New Zealand, the UK and the US across sectors including ICT, FMCG, financial services, infrastructure, professional services and health & wellbeing. Adelle chairs the Comms Council PRESCOM Committee.

Cassidy Meredith - Group Account Director, Spark PR & Activate

Cassidy is a Group Account Director at Spark PR & Activate across New Zealand and Australia. During his time in the communications industry, he has worked across both public relations and advertising on a number of high profile accounts. They have included not-for-profit organisation The Quit Group, technology giant Sony, global sports brand adidas and FMCG conglomerates Unilever and DB Breweries. It didn’t take long for Cass to get involved with the Diversity & Inclusiveness Council as he’s a firm believer that greater diversity in the workplace delivers greater amazing work and better work environment.

Kate Smith - Consultant

Kate arrived in NZ in 1995 when she was headhunted to become National Strategic Planning Director for Saatchi & Saatchi based in Wellington, after 10 years working in London agencies. She led strategy development across the agency’s clients and also sat on the Saatchi & Saatchi Global Planning Board.

In 2004, she left Saatchi to set up her own strategic consultancy. She works with clients to help them develop and execute brand strategy as well as facilitating broader business strategy development.